Continuous annealer



March 15, 1966 D. F. BITTLE ETAL 3, 40,037

CONTINUOUS ANNEALER Original Filed Oct. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 40 a as3/ 33 INVENTORS DAVID E BITTLE BY HENRY E. HAIGLER,JR

ATTORNEY March 15, 1966 D. F. BITTLE ETAL 3,240,037

CONTINUOUS ANNEALER Original Filed Oct. 5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTORS DAVID E BITTLE HENRY E. HA/GLER',JR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 12 Claims. or. 68-5) The presentapplication is a division of our copending application Serial No.313,498, filed Oct. 3, 1963.

This invention relates to apparatus for the fluid treatment of yarn andmore specifically to the continuous annealing of acrylic and othersynthetic fibers or yarn.

During the spinning and drawing of many synthetic fibers stresses areset up which, if not relieved, cause the fiber to be brittle and,therefore, impractical for commercial use. These stresses can berelieved by heating the fiber while under no stress, a processgene-rally known as annealing.

Presently, the above-described annealing process is carried out in batchlots placed in closed containers and subjected to heat and pressure.Performing the step in this manner is costly, time consuming, andinterrupts the fiow of the fiber making process. Obviously, if the fibercould be continuously annealed without interruption of the fiberproducing process, great savings in time and money could be ellected.

Previous continuous annealers have been very costly and complex and havesuffered the defect of permitting leakage from the container, thuslosing both heat and pressure. These problems are overcome in theinstant invention by utilizing a pressure receptacle having entrance andexit ports each closed by jet-sealed orifices having a passagewaythrough which the fiber can pass. Each passageway includes a portionleading inwardly to a chamber connected to a source of heating fluid,such as water or steam, under pressure at a low velocity. Anotherportion of the passageway is a venturi leading from the chamber into thereceptacle. Thus, a low pressure area is formed in the venturi by theheating fluid passing therethrough at an elevated velocity in accordancewith well known principles.

At the entrance port, the fibers are drawn into the venturi by the lowpressure created therein and forced into the receptacle. The fluidpassing through the venturi at the exit port tends to retain the fibersin the receptacle, thus for all practical purposes, maintaining themunder zero tension as they are moved therethrough. Obviously, sometension is required to withdraw the fibers from the receptacle. Thistension is provided by a take-up device which pulls the fibers from theexit jet-sealed orifice. Ease in starting the fiber through thereceptacle can be provided by lacing-up devices.

Pressure and heat both are maintained in the receptacle by the sealingaction of fluid passing through the venturi-shaped passageway portion.Such seal is accomplished by the arrangement of both venturi portionsexiting into the receptacle.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a receptaclein which a synthetic textile fiber or yarn can be continuously annealed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle through whicha synthetic textile fiber or yarn can be moved under very low tensionwhile being annealed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a receptacle in whicha high pressure is maintained and which includes an orifice providingfor the entrance of both pressurized fiuid and a fiber through the sameaperture without leakage.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a high pressurereceptacle having an orifice through which pressurized fluid enters :anda filament exits without leakage.

A further object of the invention is to provide a con tinuous annealerincluding a lace-up device for guiding a tow or yarn therethrough.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will, of course,become apparent and immediately suggest themselves to those skilled inthe art to which the invention is directed from a reading of thefollowing specification in connection with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a partly sectional, side view showing the pressurereceptacle having entrance and exit ports with jet-sealed orificesdisposed therein through which fiber to be annealed passes in accordancewith the instant invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing an embodiment of theinvention in which circulated water is utilized as the heating fluid;

FIGURE 3 is a partly sectional side view showing details of one of thejet-sealed orifices according to the instant invention;

FIGURE 4 isa view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing one embodiment oflace-up apparatus; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but showing another embodiment oflace-up apparatus.

With continued reference to the accompanying figures wherein likenumerals designate similar parts throughout the various views and withinitial attention directed to FIGURE 1, reference numeral 10 designatesan elongated pressure receptacle in which a tow of fibers 11 isannealed.

The tow passes through a first jet-sealed orifice 12 mounted in thereceptacle entrance port into and through the receptacle to exit througha second jet-sealed orifice 14 mounted in the receptacle ex-it port. Aheated fluid or vapor under pressure, such as steam, is supplied to hentrance 12 and exit 14 orifices through tubes 13 and 15 respectively.This fluid supplies both the pressure and heat needed for annealing anda motive force to maintain movement of the tow 17 through the receptacle10 in a manner to be more fully discussed hereinafter. After beingannealed, the fiber 11 is pulled through the jetsealed orifice 14 by agodet or wheel 16.

The elongated pressure receptacle 10 is preferably cylindrical in shapealthough obviously other suitable 0onfigurations may be utilized.Pressure is maintained and regulated in the receptacle 10 by a controlvalve 18 interposed in the exhaust tube 17. If desired, the exhaustfluid can be directed to a waste collector rather than venting it to theatmosphere as is the current practice. Any condensate which forms in thereceptacle it can be drawn off through the bleeder valve 21 andcondensate line 22.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 2, the pressure receptacle it)is partly fill-ed with a liquid, such as water, introduced throughjet-sealed orifices 53 and 54 both similar in structure and opera-tionto the jet-sealed orifices l2 and 14, difiering only to the extentnecessary to allow the handling of a liquid rather than a gas or vapor.The receptacle 10 is maintained under pressure by air introduced throughthe orifices 53 and 54. An air trap 36 connected to the receptaclethrough conduit 29, regulates the quantity of air in the receptacle and,hence, the pressure therein. A heating element 35, energized by anelectrical or other source not shown, serves to elevate the temperatureof the liquid and, inasmuch, as the receptacle is pressurized, bring itto a superheated state.

The liquid is forced through feeder lines 26, 27, and 28 to jet-sealedorifices 53 and 54 by a suitable pump 25. Liquid withdrawal line 24connects the inlet side of the pump 25 to the container. Obviously, thepump 25 in addition to circulating the liquid maintains pres- 3 sure inthe liquid supply system and in the receptable 1%.

Details of the jet-sealed orifice 14 are shown in FIG- URE 3. Jet-sealedorifice 12 is a duplicate of orifice 14 and the orifices 53 and 54 aresubstantial duplicates as explained above. As shown, the orifices arethreaded into the ports in the pressure receptacle although it isobvious that other securing means and methods such as brazing or weldingcould be used. Each orifice includes a housing 32 enclosing an enlargedchamber 34 and threadedly receiving an inlet portion 31 at one end.Opening into the chamber 34 through a threaded aperture is acomplimentarily threaded fluid supply tube 15. An outlet from thechamber 34- to the interior of the receptacle is provided by a venturiincluding a converging cone-shaped portion 39, a tubular portion 40 anda diverging cone-shaped portion 37.

The outer end of the inlet portion 31 is formed into ahexagonally-shaped member to facilitate threaded engagement with thehousing 32. The other end of the inlet portion is reduced incross-sectional area to provide sufiicient clearance to allow insertioninto the chamber 34. An elongated tubular opening 38 extends through thereduced portion into a cone-shaped chamber 33 opening outwardly from theouter end of the inlet 31.

In combination the cone-shaped chamber 33, the tubular opening 38, thechamber 34, the converging cone 39, the tubular portion 40 and thediverging cone 37 form a passageway for a tow 11 of fibers into thereceptacle or 10'. Additionally, a heated fluid under pressure issupplied to the receptacle 1% and 16' through the chamber 34, cone 39,tubular portion 40 and cone 37.

In operation the tow 11 enters the jet-sealed orifice 12 throughcone-shaped chamber 33 and passes through the tubular opening 38 intothe chamber 34. A low velocity, high pressure fluid 36 is supplied tothe chamber 34 through the tubes 13, 15, 27, or 28 and enters theconverging cone 39. According to well known principles, the velocity ofthe fluid 36 increases in the reduced portion of the venturi and thepressure at that point decreases. The creation of a relatively lowpressure area in the tubular portion 40 results in a flow of fluid 36through that point and, thus through the converging 39 and diverging 37cones, the chamber 34 and the supply tubes. As the fluid 36 enters theconverging cone 39, its velocity is greatly increased and the pressuredecreased below atmospheric as explained above. The pressure of air inthe tubular opening 38, being atmospheric, is greater than the pressureof the fluid in the converging cone 39. This pressure differentialcauses air to flow through the tubular opening 38, into the convergingcone 31, through the tubular portion 10 and the diverging cone 37carrying the tow with it in the case of orifice 12 and retarding themovement of the tow in the case of orifice 14.

When the air and the fluid 36 reach the tubular portion 40, they arethoroughly mixed and proceed therethrough into the diverging cone 37 atthe same velocity and pressure. As they proceed through the divergingcone 37, the pressure of the fluid and air mixture increases while thevelocity decreases proportionately according to well known principles.Upon entering the pressure receptacle 10, the velocity of the mixturedrops to near zero with the pressure increasing to the limit set by thecontrol valve 18.

It is obvious that the jet-sealed orifice 12 or 53 will force the towinto the receptacle 10 or 10 while jetsealed orifice 14 or 54 will tendto retain the tow in the receptacle 1%. The fiber tow 11 will,therefore, be under very little tension as it is drawn through thereceptacle 10 which is of great importance as heated fiber under tensionbecomes brittle. Some tension is applied to the tow by the godet orwheel 16 which pulls it from the orifice 14, but, as will be explained,this tension is applied in such a way as to not affect the annealingprocess.

The tow 11 is subjected to the greatest tensile stress as it leaves thechamber 34 and enters the tubular passageway 38 of orifice 14 or 54. Atthis point, however, the tow has been cooled somewhat by the incomingair and, as is well known, putting the fiber under tension in theabsence of heat has no detrimental effect.

Generally, lacing-up of the fiber tow 11 is accomplished by runningfluid through the orifice 12 or 53 while leaving orifice 14 or 54inoperative. The tow 11 is drawn through the orifice 12 or 53 in themanner described above and forced through the orifice 14 or 54 by theescape of pressurized fluid and air. After being attached to the godet16, the orifice 14 or 54 is then made operative and the annealingprocess begun.

Lacing-up can be facilitated by utilizing a perforated tube 55 extendingbetween the orifices as shown in FIG- URE 4. Annealing fluid enters theperforated tube 55 through apertures 59 and contacts the fiber tow 11.Alternatively, lacing-up can be accomplished by utilizing a pair ofguiding funnels 60 one having its small end attached to the orifice 12and the other having its small end attached to the orifice 14 as shownin FIG- URE 6.

It will be apparent that by the following the teachings of thisinvention that a simple, inexpensive apparatus for the continuousannealing of a tow of synthetic fibers can be constructed and utilized.Such is accomplished by forcing the tow into a pressure receptacle on aflow of air and annealing fluid and at the same time retarding theexiting of the tow from the receptacle by a similar flow of air andfluid. Thus, it is now possible to continuously anneal a relaxed fiberin an economical manner, a result not heretofore possible.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms Without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come with the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be received by United States LettersPatent is:

We claim:

1. Apparatus for continuously annealing a fiber comprising:

(a) a pressure receptacle including (1) an entrance port,

(2) an exit port, and

(3) means for maintaining a desired pressure in said receptacle;

(b) first and second jet-sealed orifices closing said entrance port andexit port respectively, each including (1) a passageway for fiberstherethrough,

(2) means for supplying liquid at a high pressure and low velocity tosaid passageway,

(3) a first portion of said passageway extending between the atmosphereand said means for supplying liquid and a second portion of saidpassageway extending from said means for supplying a liquid into saidreceptacle and having a reduced cross sectional area in regard to saidreceptacle, and

(4) means in said second portion forming a low pressure area as thepressurized liquid flows therethrough at an elevated velocity forintroducing said pressurized liquid into the interior of said receptacleand maintaining the interior of said receptacle at a pressure higherthan atmospheric;

(c) means for withdrawing a fiber tow from said second jet-sealedorifice whereby said tow is drawn through said first orifice, passesthrough said receptacle in a relaxed state to be annealed and iswithdrawn through said second orifice.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is superheatedwater.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said liquid is a heated watervapor.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein means for lacing-up said fibertow is mounted in said receptacle.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said lacingup means comprisesa perforated tube connected to said second portion of each of said firstand second jet-sealed orifices.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said lacingup means includes afunnel shaped member having its smaller end connected to said secondportion of each of said first and second jet-sealed orifices.

7. Apparatus for continuously annealing a fiber comprising:

(a) a pressure receptacle including:

(1) an entrance port,

(2) an exit port, and

(3) means for maintaining a desired pressure in said receptacle;

(b) first and second jet-sealed orifices mounted in and closing saidentrance port and exit port respectively, each including (1) apassageway for fibers therethrough,

(2) an enlarged chamber in said passageway,

(3) means directing a supply of liquid at high pressure and low velocityto said chamber,

(4) a first portion of said passageway extending between the atmosphereand said chamber,

(5) a second portion of said passageway having the shape of a venturiextending from said chamber into said receptacle and having a reducedcross sectional area in regard to said receptacle whereby a low pressurearea is formed in said second portion as the pressurized liquid flowstherethrough at an elevated velocity for introducing said pressurizedliquid into the interior of said receptacle to maintain the interior ofsaid receptacle at a pressure higher than atmospheric; and

(c) means for withdrawing a fiber tow from said second jet-sealedorifice whereby said tow is drawn through said first orifice, passesthrough said receptacle in a relaxed state to be annealed and iswithdrawn through said second orifice.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said liquid is superheatedwater.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said liquid is a heated watervapor.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein means for lacing-up saidfiber tow is mounted in said receptacle.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said lacing-up meanscomprises a perforated tube connected to said second portion of each ofsaid first and second jetsealed orifices.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said lacing-up meansincludes a funnel shaped member having its smaller end connected to saidsecond portion of each of said first and second jet-sealed orifices.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,661,619 12/1953Helle 68-6 FOREIGN PATENTS 863,219 3/1961 Great Britain.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,403,126 1/1922 Lyth.

2,008,230 7/1935 Spooner.

2,661,619 12/1953 Helle.

2,954,687 10/ 1960 Yazawa et al.

3,055,080 9/1962 Claussen et al.

3,110,169 11/1963 Suggs.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY ANNEALING A FIBER COMPRISING: (A) APRESSURE RECEPTACLE INCLUDING (1) AN ENTRANCE PORT, (2) AN EXIT PORT,AND (3) MEANS FOR MAINTAINING A DESIRED PRESSURE IN SAID RECEPTACLE; (B)FIRST AND SECOND JET-SEALED ORIFICES CLOSING SAID ENTRANCE PORT AND EXITPORT RESPECTIVELY, EACH INCLUDING (1) A PASSAGEWAY FOR FIBERSTHERETHROUGH, (2) MEANS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID AT A HIGH PRESSURE AND LOWVELOCITY TO SAID PASSAGEWAY, (3) A FIRST PORTION OF SAID PASSAGEWAYEXTENDING BETWEEN THE ATMOSPHERE AND SAID MEAND FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID ANDA SECOND PORTION OF SAID PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING FROM SAID MEANS FORSUPPLYING A LIQUID INTO SAID RECEPTACLE AND HAVING A REDUCED CROSSSECTIONAL AREA IN REGARD TO SAID RECEPTACLE, AND (4) MEANS IN SAIDSECOND PORTION FORMING A LOW PRESSURE AREA AS THE PRESSURIZED LIQUIDFLOWS THERETHROUGH AT AN ELEVATED VELOCITY FOR INTRODUCING SAIDPRESSURIZED LIQUID INTO THE INTERIOR OF SAID RECEPTACLE AND MAINTAININGTHE INTERIOR OF SAID RECEPTACLE AT A PRESSURE HIGHER THAN ATMOSPHERIC;(C) MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING A FIBER TOW FROM SAID SECOND JET-SEALEDORIFICE WHEREBY SAID TOW IS DRAWN THROUGH SAID FIRST ORIFICE, PASSESTHROUGH SAID RECEPTACLE IN A RELAXED STATE TO BE ANNEALED AND ISWITHDRAWN THROUGH SAID SECOND ORIFICE.